Table tennis practice or game board

ABSTRACT

A game board for use on a table such as a table tennis table, the board being angularly adjustable to control the angle of bounce of a ball batted against the board. The board is also provided with indicia, openings for switch actuating devices to permit competitive games or games of skill in which a single player attempts to control the ball so as to hit indicia, pass through openings, or operate a switch. In the embodiments wherein the board has openings for passage of balls, a chute is provided for returning balls to the player.

United States Patent Psenka [541 TABLE TENNIS PRACTICE OR GAME BOARD[72] Inventor: Joseph A. Psenka, 4797 Stoneleigh,

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48010 [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1970 [21] Appl.No.:27,125

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 615,816, Feb.13, 1967,

[ May 2, 1972 347,038 8/1886 Hey r ..273/l1 1,970,068 8/1934 Walton.273/103 X 2,021,989 11/1935 Master ..D34/6.5 2,229,382 l/1941 lrwin etal. ..273/182 3,233,896 2/1915 King ..273/1 5 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLlCATIONS 311,017 1929 Great Britain ..273/1 79 C 1,297,753 3/1962France 633,978 4/1963 France 1,297,753 3/1961 France ..273/30 PrimaryExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice BrownAtt0rneyWhitemore, Hulbert & Belknap [5 7] ABSTRACT A game board for useon a table such as a table tennis table, the board being angularlyadjustable to control the angle of bounce of a ball batted against theboard. The board is also provided with indicia, openings for switchactuating devices to permit competitive games or games of skill in whicha single player attempts to control the ball so as to hit indicia, passthrough openings, or operate a switch. in the embodiments wherein theboard has openings for passage of balls, a chute is provided forreturning balls to the player.

6 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,850

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR JOSEPH A. PSENKA (X am H620 FlG.2l H622Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,850

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 oodocllooooo FIGJIS INVENT OR ATTO TABLE TENNISPRACTICE R GAME BOARD This application is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 615,816 filed Feb. 13, 1967 and since abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has heretofore been proposed to provide atable for table tennis in which one-half of the table may be swung tovertical position to form a back stop at which table tennis balls may bebounced for practice purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention arelatively small practice or game board is provided in conjunction witha table, such as a table for table tennis, the board being angularlyadjustable to control the angle of bounce of table tennis balls battedagainst the board. In preferred embodiments of the invention the boardis further provided with indicia, openings, or switch actuating devicesto pennit competitive games or games of skill in which a single playerattempts to control the ball so as to hit indicia, pass throughopenings, or operate switches.

In further improved embodiments of the invention means are providedeffective to return a ball which has passed through an opening in thepractice board.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide apractice or game board for table tennis adapted to be supported inangularly adjusted position on a table.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a practice orgame board carried by the table and adapted to be moved into anon-operative position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a board ofthe character described having an opening or openings therein throughwhich a table tennis ball may be batted, preferably in conjunction withmeans for returning a ball to the player.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a board ofthe character described with signal lights and switches controlled bybatted balls to operate the signals in accordance with scoring made byan individual player.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa simple form of practice or game board.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the board seen in FIG. 1.

F IG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a modified form of game board.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the board shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged section on the line 66, FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a further modified form of gameboard.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the board shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing controlswitches associated with the board.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of another modified form of gameboard.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the board shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view on the line 1212, FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of further modified form of gameboard.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view on the line l4l4, FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 15-15,FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view through a table tennis table,taken substantially on the line 16-16, FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary plan view showing a further modified form ofpractice board.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view on the line 19-19, FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing a furthermodified form of practice board.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a counter associatedwith the practice board.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view illustrating a counter associated with theboard prop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-3there is illustrated a practice board 10 which is in the form of arectangular board of sufficient thickness to provide a satisfactorybounce when a table tennis ball is batted against the board. At itslower edge the board is provided with two foot members 11 which may beof a suitable friction material such for example as rubber. In addition,means are provided for supporting the board at different angles. Thismeans comprises a rail 12 at the back of the board formed from angleiron as indicated in FIG. 3. Associated with the rail 12 is a block 13having jaws 14 adapted to grip the rail 12 under the action of aclamping screw 15. A support leg 16 having a friction foot 17 has alaterally extending arm 18 received in an opening in the block 13. Itwill be understood that in practice the practice board will normally bepositioned across the net from the player and the angle at which thesurface of the board is inclined will be selected such as to produce therequired return bounce, taking into account the speed with which theball is hit. Obviously, if the ball is hit with considerable speed, thepractice board will be brought into a much more nearly vertical positionthan that illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 there is illustrated a modified board 20which differs principally from the board shown in FIGS. 1-3, in that theboard 20 is provided with a central opening 21 of a size substantiallylarger than the table tennis ball and through which the user attempts tobat the ball. The board is provided with an inclined return chute 22which may be tubular or which may be closed at one side by the backsurface of the board 20. In any case, extension means are provided atthe discharge end of the chute to cause the ball to roll forwardly underthe net to the user. This means, as best seen in FIG. 6, comprises a capelement 23 the end surface of which is concave or inclined as indicatedat 24 to cause a ball to roll forwardly or downwardly as seen in FIG. 6.Since the angle of the board may be changed by adjustable supportmechanism indicated generally at 25, it is desirable for the cap 23 tobe rotatable on the chute member 22.

In addition, the board 20 may be provided with a plurality of counterssuch for example as apertured discs 26 slidable on a rod 27 mounted onthe top of the board. These counters are useful where the game board isused competitively and serve for the purpose of keeping score.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9 there is illustrated a still further modifiedgame board 30 which is generally similar to the board 20 shown in FIG.4, and is provided with the inclined return chute 31 similar to thatdescribed above. In this case the board is provided at its top with aplurality of signal lights 32 and switch means, best seen in FIG. 9, areprovided in association with suitable counting switches or the like (notshown) to close circuits to the lights 32 at either side of the board ina predetermined sequence. For this purpose the contestants may use ballsof different diameter and the switch 33 seen in FIG. 9 has a pair ofswitch actuating contacts 34 and 35 which extend different distancesinto the chute 31. The game board is again adjustable as to angle bysupport means including the leg 36 pivoted to the adjustable block 37,as previously described.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12 there is illustrated another board 40 whichagain, is supported in selected angular positions by a leg 41 pivoted toan adjustable block 42 as previously described. In this case the boardis provided with signal elements such as lights 43 controlled bysuitable counting relays or the like (not shown). The game board 40 isintended to simulate known games such for example as baseball, andaccordingly, switch actuating target indicia 44 are provided. Theindicia may be in the form of discs 45 as subsequently described, andare of difierent size and are arranged in a layout simulating a baseballdiamond. Thus for example, the largest disc may represent first base andif this disc is contacted by a ball it corresponds to a one-base hit.Similarly, selectively smaller discs may represent second and third baseand home plate and when these discs are engaged by a ball the countingmechanism scores the results as double, triple, and home runsrespectively.

As best seen in FIG. 12, the flat thin discs 45 are spaced slightly fromthe board 40 by very light flexible leaf springs 46. Extendingrearwardlyfrom each of the discs 45 is a stem 47 terminating in a head48 which is closely surrounded by a metal contact cup 49. It will beappreciated that an electric circuit is provided which is completed whenthe contact element 48 touches the cap 49. The construction is extremelylight, as previously mentioned, and operates so that an ordinary tabletennis ball touching any part of the disc 45 will cause closure of theswitch. Thus, if the bail contacts the disc exactly centrally contactelement 48 moves perpendicularly to the plane of the board and contactsthe bottom of the cup 49. On the other hand, if the ball contacts anedge portion of the disc 45 so that the disc tilts, the contact element48 moves laterally and engages a side of the disc.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15 there is shown a game board 50 designed forsimulating known games such for example as baseball. In this case thegame board is provided with a plurality of openings 51 of different sizearranged in the layout of a baseball diamond, and again, the openingsimulating first base is the largest and the opening simulating homeplate is the smallest. In this case, in the rear of each opening thereis provided a dished plate 52 one of which is illustrated in FIG. 15,adapted to receive a ball passing through the associated opening 51 andto cause it to roll downwardly into a laterally inclined return chute53. The chute 53 has a wall surface 53a which is inclined as indicatedat 53b to direct a ball forwardly when it reaches the lower end of thechute 53. Again, the board 50 may be provided with signal lightsindicated at 54 which may be operated automatically by suitable countingrelays or the like actuated by switches 55 having switch actuators 56located within the enclosure defined by the dished plate 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17 there is illustrated a game or practiceboard 60 which in this case is adapted to fit within an opening 61formed in the table 62. The board 60 is rabbeted as indicated at 63 forcooperation with a corresponding shape at 64 in the opening 61. Theboard 60 is pivoted within the opening 61 as indicated at 65 and isadapted to be supported in a desired angular position by legs 66. Whilea single leg could be provided centrally, preferably two legs 66 areprovided having transversely extending portions 67 slidable in brackets68 so that the legs may be pushed inwardly from the position shown inFIG. 17 so as to pass through the opening 61 in the table. The leg 66 iscomposed of two telescopically slidable sections so that the angle ofthe table may be widely varied while at the same time the angularity ofthe leg 66 with respect to the table may be such as to maintainstability due to the friction between the foot 69 and the table top.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19 there is illustrated yet anotherembodiment of the invention in which a practice board 70 is shown assupported by two brackets 71 at adjacent corners, the brackets includingfriction hinges 72 in which the friction is sufficient to retain theboard in any angular position of adjustment. The brackets include pegs73 which are snugly received in openings 74 provided in the table. Withthis arrangement the practice board may be removed leaving only thesmall openings 74 which are located in close proximity to the net 75 andwhich therefore do not interfere with using the table for table tennis.

Referring now to FIG. 20 there is shown a further modification in whicha strip is fastened to the top of a table 81 by screws 82 or the like.Adapted to be attached to the top of the strip 80 are brackets 83 havingbase portions 84 connected to the strip by screws 85, the threadedshanks of which are received in threaded openings 86 in the strip. Thebrackets 83 have upstanding cars 87 provided with friction hingeconnections 88 to arms 89 formed on the practice board 89a.

It will be appreciated that if instead of the relatively light strip 80,a relatively heavier support portion were provided, then the practiceboard 89a could be retained in position without the necessity forattaching screws 82.

Referring now to FIG. 21 there is illustrated a portion of a practiceboard 90 retained in the desired angular position by a prop or props 92.At the rear of the board 90 there is provided an inertia counting deviceindicated generally at 94. Details of this device are not illustratedsince the device consists only of a switch adapted to be momentarilyclosed by the motion of the board when struck by a ball, the switchbeing connected to conventional counter mechanism. With a counter ofthis type it is possible for players to compete to determine the maximum number of times in which they keep the ball in play. Obviously ofcourse, the device is also useful when a single player is attempting todetermine the total number of times which he can keep the ball in playwithout missing.

In FIG. 22 there is illustrated a variation of the concept illustratedin FIG. 21. In this Figure a prop is provided having a friction foot 96in which is incorporated an inertia switch adapted to be closedmomentarily as a result of forces applied to the foot resulting fromimpact of the ball. The inertia or impact switch is connected bysuitable wiring indicated at 97 to a conventional counting device.

In FIGS. 7-9 there was suggested an arrangement in which difierent sizeballs could be employed to actuate different switches controllingcounting devices or the like. Instead of using balls of different size,balls having different physical characteristics could be employed. Forexample, balls of different color may be used and the counting equipmentinclude color sensing devices. Alternatively, balls having differentmagnetic properties may be employed. Thus, iron particles may beembedded in or coated on the wall of a ball, and a magnetic proximityswitch of known type employed, or magnetic means used to divert the ballwith magnetic properties into a different path than magnetically inertballs.

In the foregoing there has been a disclosure of target areas, whichaccording to several embodiments of the invention are constituted byopenings through the board. In another embodiment of the invention thesetarget areas comprise the light discs 45. Also, the constructionscomprise means for indicating when a ball has impinged on the targetarea. In the case of the opening the opening itself constitutes themeans for indicating impingement by a ball, when the ball passes throughthe opening. In some cases of course the ball will strike the edge ofthe opening and will be deflected erratically, this also serving as anindication that the ball has impinged the area. In the case of the disc45 the means indicating impingement may be the signal light energized bythe switch 47.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved table tennis practice or game board in such full, clear,concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art topractice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appendedclaims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A practice or game board for association with a table tennis table,means for adjustably supporting said board on said table to extendgenerally upwardly therefrom, the adjustable support means comprising arail extending in the direction between the top and bottom edges of saidboard, a leg supporting block adjustable longitudinally of said rail,angularly adjustable leg means pivoted to said block, means for lockingsaid block to different positions of adjustment to vary the angle ofbounce of a table tennis ball, said board having a target area oflimited extent thereon to be impinged by a ball, and means forindicating when a ball has impinged on said area.

2. A rigid practice or game board for association with a table tennistable, means for adjustably supporting said board on said table toextend generally upwardly therefrom, the adjustable support meanscomprising adjustable leg means pivoted to the rear of the board, meansfor locking the leg means in different positions of adjustment to varythe angle of bounce of a table tennis ball from the rigid board, saidboard having a target area of limited extent thereon to be impinged by aball, and means for indicating when a ball has impinged on said area,said target area being constituted by an opening through said board of asize to permit passage of a table tennis ball, an inclined chute at therear of said board adapted to receive a ball passing through saidopening, said chute being inclined laterally and downwardly and thenforwardly to cause the ball to roll downwardly therein around the sideof the board and then forwardly to return to the player.

3. A board as defined in claim 2, said chute having an angularlyadjustable ball directing cap at the lower end of said chute adapted todirect the ball forwardly, said cap being adjustable about the axis ofthe chute to compensate for variations in angular position of the board.

4. A board as defined in claim 2 comprising switch means in said chuteand signal means actuated by said switch means for indicating passage ofballs through said chute, said switch means comprising two switchactuators extending different distances into said chute whereby only oneof said switches is actuated by a smaller ball and both of said switchesare actuated by a larger ball.

5. A board as defined in claim 2 comprising sensing means in said chuteto distinguish between balls having different physical properties.

6. A rigid practice or game board for association with a table tennistable, means for adjustably supporting said board on said table toextend generally upwardly therefrom, the adjustable support meanscomprising angularly adjustable leg means pivoted to the rear of theboard, means for locking the leg means to different positions of angularadjustment to vary the angle of bounce of a table tennis ball from therigid board, said board having a target area of limited extent thereonto be impinged by a ball, and means for indicating when a ball hasimpinged on said area in which said target area comprises target indiciacomprising a thin light movable rigid sheet element, the means forindicating when a ball has impinged on said area comprising a switchcontact carried by said rigid sheet element, a cooperating switchcontact carried by the board to provide for closure of the switchcomprising said contacts when said rigid board is impinged by a ball,and relatively light leaf springs interconnecting said sheet element tothe board, said leaf springs being yieldable to provide rearwardmovement or lateral tilting of the contact carried by said sheet elementdependent upon the portion of the sheet element engaged by a ball, thecontact carried by the board being in the form of a cup closelysurrounding the contact carried by the sheet element.

1. A practice or game board for association with a table tennis table,means for adjustably supporting said board on said table to extendgenerally upwardly therefrom, the adjustable support means comprising arail extending in the direction between the top and bottom edges of saidboard, a leg supporting block adjustable longitudinally of said rail,angularly adjustable leg means pivoted to said block, means for lockingsaid block to different positions of adjustment to vary the angle ofbounce of a table tennis ball, said board having a target area oflimited extent thereon to be impinged by a ball, and means forindicating when a ball has impinged on said area.
 2. A rigid practice orgame board for association with a table tennis table, means foradjustably supporting said board on said table to extend generallyupwardly therefrom, the adjustable support means comprising adjustableleg means pivoted to the rear of the board, means for locking the legmeans in different positions of adjustment to vary the angle of bounceof a table tennis ball from the rigid board, said board having a targetarea of limited extent thereon to be impinged by a ball, and means forindicating when a ball has impinged on said area, said target area beingconstituted by an opening through said board of a size to permit passageof a table tennis ball, an inclined chute at the rear of said boardadapted to receive a ball passing through said opening, said chute beinginclined laterally and downwardly and then forwardly to cause the ballto roll downwardly therein around the side of the board and thenforwardly to return to the player.
 3. A board as defined in claim 2,said chute having an angularly adjustable ball directing cap at thelower end of said chute adapted to direct the ball forwardly, said capbeing adjustable about the axis of the chute to compensate forvariations in angular position of the board.
 4. A board as defined inclaim 2 comprising switch means in said chute and signal means actuatedby said switch means for indicating passage of balls through said chute,said switch means comprising two switch actuators extending differentdistances into said chute whereby only one of said switches is actuatedby a smaller ball and both of said switches are actuated by a largerball.
 5. A board as defined in claim 2 comprising sensing means in saidchute to distinguish between balls having different physical properties.6. A rigid practice or game board for association with a table tennistable, means for adjustably supporting said board on said table toextend generally upwardly therefrom, the adjustable support meanscomprising angularly adjustable leg meAns pivoted to the rear of theboard, means for locking the leg means to different positions of angularadjustment to vary the angle of bounce of a table tennis ball from therigid board, said board having a target area of limited extent thereonto be impinged by a ball, and means for indicating when a ball hasimpinged on said area in which said target area comprises target indiciacomprising a thin light movable rigid sheet element, the means forindicating when a ball has impinged on said area comprising a switchcontact carried by said rigid sheet element, a cooperating switchcontact carried by the board to provide for closure of the switchcomprising said contacts when said rigid board is impinged by a ball,and relatively light leaf springs interconnecting said sheet element tothe board, said leaf springs being yieldable to provide rearwardmovement or lateral tilting of the contact carried by said sheet elementdependent upon the portion of the sheet element engaged by a ball, thecontact carried by the board being in the form of a cup closelysurrounding the contact carried by the sheet element.